Sorry gentlemen but this blog is mainly for the ladies out there, but feel free to read 😉
I’ve been wondering for a while what the answer to that is, what is the definition of beauty. Of course we could always go to the Webster’s definition of beauty …but what’s the fun in that?
So should we take a look at what the world thinks that beauty is/looks like?
Skinny women that wear size 00, have long beautiful hair (normally blonde), big boobs, a nice little bubble butt, a great smile, etc. I feel like we rely a lot on what the media (magazines, tv ads, fashion models, etc) says what beauty is. But is that really the right place to figure out what beauty is? What happens to the people that can never get down to that 00 without having an eating disorder? Or the girl that bleaches her hair so many times that it gets severely damaged? What if they feel like they have too many freckles? That their nose isn’t the right size/shape? Or if their boobs aren’t big enough? Well the normal (and sad) answer is that they alter their bodies to fit into this strict definition of beauty by resorting to surgeries, diets, make-up, and hair dye. It’s kinda like a trap…actually a lot like a trap. There are so many lies that are out there trying to tell girls how to look and if they don’t fit that standard then they aren’t pretty. I’ve seen a lot of unhappy girls out there because they couldn’t reach this standard for some reason or another. After seeing this endless cycle of trying to find perfection in a body that wasn’t made to fit a singular mold you may start looking for a different definition…if there is another one.
The good news is that there is another option! Are you ready for it?? It’s the definition of beauty that is provided by God.
What does it look like? Well here are a few examples…
We can kinda get an idea of how God views beauty by looking to His word, the Holy Bible. In Psalm 139 it talks about how God planned us out before we were even a thought in our parents mind, and even before your parents were born. He laid out a plan for your life. He hemmed (molded) you before and behind (every inch of you). In Psalm 139 it also says:
"15 my frame was not hidden from you, when I was made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them." ESV
He was intentional. How awesome is that truth!?! God created each and every person exactly the way that he meant for them to look. There are no mistakes. He created us all (girls AND guys) in His image. He is the perfect being. We are made perfect through Him…in more ways than one. But let’s stick to beauty for now, hokay? Hokay!
Now for me personally, I looked at the definition of beauty from the world’s view. I hated the way I looked. I didn’t feel beautiful or even pretty. I didn’t feel like I had any self-worth, that I could be loved for me, or that I was beautiful. I can remember almost always wanting to change myself in some way or another. You know- lose some weight, have a few less freckles, maybe a slightly larger nose, etc. I wanted to fit the athlete mold because I loved sports so much, but never really felt like I fit in it because I’ve almost always been on the chunkier side of life. I had listened to lies spoken over my life for years upon years until they became solid truths in my mind. That to fit in, be loved, and accepted for who I am I needed to fit that mold. Let me tell you something –> It. Is. Impossible. Yup, I said it. Sorry to bust your bubble. It is impossible because there is no set mold to conform to.
Welp, I reckon God had had enough of me believing those lies. So He started talking to me. Annnd I finally started truly listening. I want to tell you a little of what He has said to me, and share with you how I am growing. I’m learning how to speak life over myself, and know the truth about who I am. And what I mean by that is saying and accepting that I am beautiful because God has made me perfectly, that I am loved for who I am, and am becoming more secure in my identity in Christ. God broke the mold when He made me…and you. No one has ever been like me and no one ever will be. How special is that?! God cared enough about me to make me unique in every way. And not just me, you too!
So to listen and obey the voice of the Lord I have made a few changes about myself that go beyond internal changes. I feel a pretty strong need to continually remember to rely on God’s definition of beauty and who He has made me to be, and not the world. This is a weakness for me guys, I’m not going to lie. So I felt like I needed something as a reminder that I couldn’t over look, which would always remind me whose opinion matters…God’s and only God’s. I’m pretty sure I have you on the edge or your seat now wondering what exactly it is that I have changed. Haha. I reckon I can tell you know though. I shaved my head. Yeah… you read me correctly.
Drastic? Yes. Radical? Yes. But I serve a God that calls me (us) to be radical followers. I’ve prayed for over a month about this decision, I’ve dug into the Bible like never before (especially in 1 Corinthians 11-which I'd be more than happy to discuss with you what I learned so just ask 😉 ) to test it against the word of God and I’ve sought Godly council from mature Christians. This was not an easy decision, but one that I now feel very comfortable with. I feel free of the lies and the world’s definition of beauty! And it feels great 🙂
Before After! 🙂
P.S. I’m definitely not saying this is something that every girl should do as she seeks God’s definition of beauty and a solid identity in Him because if you remember He made us each unique…each of our lives and walks unique. I do hope that this blog encourages some girls out there that are struggling with these same lies that were spoken over me and that God grants you freedom from it.
